Intellectual Property Articles
Expert articles and practical legal guides on intellectual property for new zealand businesses.
Fair Dealing & YouTube: A Guide To Copyright Exceptions (2026 Updated)
If you create content for YouTube (or you’re using YouTube to market your business), you’ve probably had that moment of doubt: “Can I use this clip?” “Is this fair dealing?” “Will Content...
6 January 2025
Playing Music In Your Content: How Can You Avoid Breaching Copyright? (2026 Updated)
Adding music to your Instagram Reel, YouTube video, podcast episode, online course or TikTok can instantly lift the mood and make your content feel more “professional”. But music is also one of...
6 January 2025
The Legal Side Of TikTok: Music, Copyright and Ownership (2026 Updated)
TikTok can be a powerful marketing channel, a creative outlet, and (for some creators) a serious revenue stream. But once your videos start getting traction, the legal questions tend to follow quickly...
6 January 2025
Legal Considerations For YouTube Content Creators (2026 Updated)
Building a YouTube channel can start as a hobby, but it doesn’t take long before you’re dealing with very real business (and legal) issues: brand deals, copyright claims, defamation complaints, privacy questions,...
6 January 2025
How Do I Protect My Intellectual Property? (2026 Updated)
You’ve put time (and probably a fair bit of money) into building your business - your name, your branding, your products, your content, and the way you do things. So it makes...
6 January 2025
What Is A Deed of Assignment, Anyway? (2026 Updated)
If you’re running a business, there’s a good chance you’ll eventually need to hand over (or take over) a contract, an asset, a lease, or even some intellectual property rights. That handover...
6 January 2025
Are Recipes Intellectual Property? (2026 Updated)
You’ve spent months (maybe years) perfecting a recipe. It might be your signature hot sauce, a spice blend your customers rave about, or a plant-based dessert that finally tastes right . So...
6 January 2025
Need To Renew Your Trade Mark? (2026 Updated)
Your trade mark is one of those business assets that can quietly do a lot of heavy lifting. It helps customers recognise you, trust you, and choose you over competitors - even...
6 January 2025
Protecting Intellectual Property: Do You Need An IP Health Check? (2026 Updated)
You’ve put real time (and probably real money) into building your business - the name, the brand look and feel, the website, your content, your products, and the processes that make you...
5 January 2025
Can I Stop People Reselling My Business’ Products? (2026 Updated)
You’ve put time (and money) into developing your product, building a brand, and getting your pricing right. Then you spot someone reselling your products online - sometimes at a higher price, sometimes...
5 January 2025
Colour Trade Marks And Why You Should Watch Out For Them (2026 Updated)
When you think “trade mark”, you probably picture a business name or a logo. But in New Zealand, a trade mark can also be a colour (or a specific colour used in...
5 January 2025
How To Transfer A Trade Mark (2026 Updated)
When you’ve built a brand people recognise, your trade mark becomes one of your most valuable business assets. So if you’re selling your business, restructuring, bringing in investors, or moving IP into...
5 January 2025
How Do I Protect My Business Information From Being Stolen? (2026 Updated)
When you’re building a business, your information is often your competitive edge. It might be your customer list, your pricing model, your product roadmap, your supplier terms, your processes, or even “the...
5 January 2025
How Does Copyright Protect My Business? (2026 Updated)
If you’re building a business in New Zealand, chances are you’re creating content every day - website copy, social posts, product photos, packaging designs, training resources, proposals, videos, software, and more. That’s...
5 January 2025
How Do I Know If I’m Infringing Copyright? (2026 Updated)
If you’re running a business, building a brand online, or creating content for customers, it’s surprisingly easy to copy something without meaning to. A photo you found on Google. A “free” font....
5 January 2025
Need a Trade Mark? 6 Things You Need to Know (2026 Updated)
You’ve put time (and probably a lot of late nights) into choosing the right name, designing a logo, and building a brand that customers recognise. Then comes the uncomfortable thought: what if...
5 January 2025
How Do I Copyright Something? (2026 Updated)
If you’ve created something original for your business - a logo, a website, a product label, a course, an app, or even just your brand photography - it’s completely normal to wonder:...
5 January 2025
Are New Zealand Trade Marks And Copyright Valid Internationally? (2026 Updated)
If you’re building a brand in New Zealand, it’s completely normal to assume your intellectual property rights “travel” with you - especially if you sell online, ship overseas, or have customers finding...
5 January 2025
Who Owns The Copyright In NFTs? (2026 Updated)
NFTs are still a popular way to sell digital art, music, memberships, in-game assets and all sorts of “digital collectibles”. But one question keeps catching people out (on both the creator side...
5 January 2025
Trade Marks – What Are They And Why Do We Need Them? (2026 Updated)
Your business name, logo, and “look and feel” are often the first things customers notice. If people remember you for anything, it’s usually your brand. That’s exactly why trade marks matter. They’re...
5 January 2025
‘Black Friday’ Is A Registered Trade Mark: Can Other Brands Use It? (2026 Updated)
Don’t Use The ® Symbol Unless It’s Actually Your Registered Mark Some businesses add ® to look official. That can backfire. You should only use the registered trade mark symbol if the...
5 January 2025
Guide To Trade Mark Infringements New Zealand (2026 Updated)
Your brand is often one of the most valuable things you build - sometimes before you even realise it. Your business name, logo, product name, packaging, and even a tagline can become...
5 January 2025
Preparing An Evidence Of Prior Use Report (2026 Updated)
If you’ve ever applied for a trade mark in New Zealand and hit a snag (like an objection or a competing application), you’ll know the process can feel surprisingly technical, surprisingly fast,...
5 January 2025
Instagram And Copyright: Who Owns The Rights To Your Gram? (2026 Updated)
Instagram can be a huge growth channel for New Zealand businesses. It’s where you build brand trust, run ads, collaborate with creators, and show off your products in a way your website...
5 January 2025
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